Minimally Invasive Vascular Services

Physicians at Sentara are committed to providing the most effective treatments for you with the least amount of discomfort and the fewest complications.

Minimally Invasive Vascular Treatments: Benefits

The vascular physicians at Sentara are seasoned experts in both open surgical and minimally invasive treatments. Our goal is to use a minimally invasive approach whenever possible. In fact, more than 70 percent of our procedures are minimally invasive. Benefits of minimally invasive techniques include:

Less pain

Less scarring

Shorter recovery time

Decreased risk of infection and complication

Our Commitment to Minimally Invasive Surgery

Open surgical procedures were once the first treatment option for many vascular conditions. However, that has changed. We can treat many conditions through minimally invasive approaches, even conditions that once required open surgery.

Unlike open surgery, which requires large incisions to gain access to the surgical area, minimally invasive endovascular ("within the blood vessel") procedures typically use a tiny incision. Your surgeon inserts tiny medical instruments and cameras into long, thin tubes called catheters to complete complex procedures. We can perform many endovascular procedures on an outpatient basis, and they yield the same results as open surgery, making them a more attractive option.

Vascular Surgery: Advanced Technology and Facilities

We demonstrate our commitment to minimally invasive techniques through our investment in state-of-the-art facilities, which includes endovascular suites at our hospitals. These sophisticated facilities enable our specialists to use minimally invasive approaches to treat a variety of vascular conditions, from the most straightforward to extremely complicated cases. We treat abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms in our hybrid operating room at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Vascular Disease Treatment: Offering You the Best Outcome

Sentara Vascular Specialists frequently recommend minimally invasive procedures because we believe that in the majority of cases, they provide the most benefit to our patients. However, we also understand that both surgical and minimally invasive techniques are safe and effective. Each has its place and its suitability depends entirely on your unique circumstances. We will consider and discuss all of your treatment options in partnership with you and your family before arriving at the best treatment decision for you.